Downtown businesses and organizations adopt 27 planters through Adopt a Planter program
Have you noticed a profusion of color in Downtown Akron recently? The color is coming from 30 hanging flower baskets 
and 47 planters that Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) has added to the Downtown footprint. In DAP’s ongoing effort to get Downtown employees out of their offices to enjoy all that Downtown has to offer, DAP offered businesses the opportunity to “adopt” a planter for the first time this year.
DAP has added seasonal beauty to Downtown for more than 10 years with its planter program. In the past, the DAP staff has planted and maintained the planters, but this year the staff had lots of extra help. Volunteers from 22 Downtown businesses added their own unique touch to the vibrancy of Downtown by selecting and planting one or more of the planters. Each of the 27 adopted planters contains a garden stake that identifies its adoptive business or organization. DAP ambassadors will continue to water the baskets and planters throughout the summer.
“Each year we get calls and inquiries from Downtown employees and visitors telling us how much they love the planters and asking how they can get involved,” said Linda Fry, DAP project manager. “The program lets them be creative and gives them a sense of ownership in their Downtown.”
Adoptive businesses include Roetzel & Andress, O'Neil's Condominium Association, UA College of Business Administration, Summit County Common Pleas Court General Division, Clear Channel, John S. Knight Center, CapTrust, Beauty Lounge, KeyBank, Rubber City Clothing, Akron-Summit County Public Library (Maintenance Department Staff and Staff Association), WE Gallery, Keathley Advertising, Portage Path Behavioral Health, Akron Beacon Journal, Schipper Group, The Peanut Shoppe, Architectural Greenery, Whitespace Creative, Akron Civic Theatre Women's Guild, Bruner Cox and PNC Bank.
The Adopt a Planter program is new this year. If you're interested in adopting a planter for next year, send us an e-mail at clean@downtownakron.com or call 330-374-7676.
The Downtown planters are partially funded by the Neighborhood Partnership Program, through Akron Community Foundation and administered by the City of Akron Planning Department.
About Downtown Akron Partnership
The mission of Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) is to promote and build a vibrant and valuable Downtown. DAP is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing people, activity, business and a thriving civic life to the heart of Akron. Through strategic marketing, clean and safe programs and management of Downtown's resources, DAP works to promote Downtown as a gathering place in the center of our community.
DAP’s members include property owners, business leaders and government officials who want to improve the image of Downtown as a safe, convenient location for businesses, working professionals and families. DAP is governed by a Board of Trustees as diverse as the interests of our city.
